The scenery around the fishing village of Portree

The hills surrounding it are a natural spectacle: Ben Tianavaig to the south and Fingal’s Seat to the west, as well as Ben Chracaig to the south, paint a picture of pure beauty, against which stand the mountain and the jagged pinnacles of the Old Man of Storr, whilst on the other side of the bay, to the east, one can admire the unmistakable silhouette of the island of Raasay, where the conical hill of Dun Caan towers above. In short, its surroundings alone would be enough to make Portree a jewel of the island. Yet this harbour village, where the houses boast pastel colours, especially along Dunvegan Road, is a must-visit to meet the locals in its cafés. Founded as a fishing village in the early 19th century by the then Lord MacDonald, it stands on a panoramic slope at the southern tip of the Trotternish peninsula. Here, the Skeabost House Hotel is particularly worth staying at; a historic Victorian mansion with lake views that also serves the most exquisite fish and roast dishes at the tables of its restaurant, the West Pier.